This is a discussion on 2013 wrx paint problem? within the Exterior & Appearance forums, part of the Tech & Modifying & General Repairs category; Yeeks.
This worries me a tad bit. I just bought a 2013 WRX in tangerine orange. I don't even have ...

This worries me a tad bit. I just bought a 2013 WRX in tangerine orange. I don't even have the car yet....its still in transit to Colorado from Cali. I was already considering having a clear bra put on the front... should I get it for the bumpers/sides as well? Anyone else do this to protect their paint? Thanks for your input.

This worries me a tad bit. I just bought a 2013 WRX in tangerine orange. I don't even have the car yet....its still in transit to Colorado from Cali. I was already considering having a clear bra put on the front... should I get it for the bumpers/sides as well? Anyone else do this to protect their paint? Thanks for your input.

If you're in CO, you need a front end clear bra at the very least. That means front bumper and hood (preferably a full hood clear bra instead of half). They typically will cover the mirrors as well.

@Zman13
What has come of this? Did Subaru repaint your car with quality paint?

I purchased my 2013 WRX in July 2013. After the first week, and first wax with a brand new microfiber cloth, my clear coat was scratched. I brought this to the attention of my dealer's service manager and it was shrugged off. My paint was further damaged (chipped, scratched, etc.) after my local dealer detailed it when it was less than 2 months old. They repainted the damaged pieces. (My experience with them has not been a "Subaru" promised experience either.)

After one NY winter, my paint looks like garbage. I have chips down to the base (white) in many, many areas. Two of my friends drive Legacys, my Mom drives an Impreza and my grandmother had a Forester that was severely dented over the entire body from a hail storm—yet not one of these Subaru's has/had a single chip.

So it seems, that the model of Subaru made for driving the roughest of road conditions, has a lesser paint quality that the other models. None of my past cars (of many makes and models) have had such crappy paint and they were old beaters. I paid a lot of money for my new Subaru and I planned to own a beautiful car for 10+ years, but in under a year, it already looks beat.

Im sure a lot of other people have the same experience. Unfortunately our subarus are not known for having the best paint. I have a lot of chips on the road its just something that happens. Try not to follow so close to other cars in the oh so awesome weather. Use some cutting compound and get rid of the scratches you have and Maybe get a a clear bra and protect what you have left.

Mine too

Originally Posted by Zman13

Anybody having paint issues with there 2013 WRX? I just bought a brand new WRX hatch in DGM back in the middle of January. I live in the Northeast and have driven all my cars in these conditions over the past 22 years and never had a problem with paint on a car in my life! Well so far i have 2,700 Miles on my Subie and all along the sides of my car the paint is literally being sand blasted off from the small winter road grim and stones.. From the front wheel wells to the back especially where they bulge out its stripped to the color white! I took it to the dealer thats closest to me and they took pics and said they will send them to there service manager Rep to make a decision weather subaru will fix it or not. I really hope they fix it. Its going to have to be repainted. Anybody have similar problems? And what did Subaru as a Company do for you? Im Freaking out big time! I really wanted to have this car for along time but at this point im turned off and disgusted with Subaru's quality at this point!!!

I have to admit I expected some road rash because the roads in the northeast where I am have gravel, pot holes, bumps and fault lines everywhere. Worst I've seen since I started driving 23 years ago. Regardless, my paint is NOT holding up well on my blue 2013 WRX 5 door. It came with clear plastic on the paint to guard the splash areas on the wheel wells, which have seemed to help some but the hood is a mess. I'm sorry but I hate putting plastic up there, and no way am I putting a deflector in front of my hood scoop so I decided to live with the punishment. I only have 11,000 miles on it in 20 months, most of them highway and I have chips all over the bumper, hood and fenders. I hate touch up paint, but saw how my 2005 Legacy hood looked after leaving it sit a few years down to the metal and it started bubbling and oxidizing. So I use a little touch upon anything hitting metal and live with anything in the paint.

I'd say we just got cars with soft jap paint and thin clear coat. Combine that with a car a few inches off the ground, a turbo, a hood scoop and a passion for extreme speed and you have a recipe for severe road rash. I guess I'm gonna have to live with it because I'm not driving like my great grandfather with a car that pouts anytime I have the motor under 3k rpm.

As an aside but relevant point, I did read that Subaru lost a class action lawsuit by WRX owners and it resulted in the plastic protection splash guards my 2013. The 2012 I test drove DID NOT have them and there were noticeable chips repaired all along the parts of my the wheel where my car came protected. They should have also included a protective strip on the bumper and hood, where my car looks like it has 50000 miles in 10,000. If anyone knows a good lawyer I'll sign.

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